Grammatically Correct: The writer's essential guide to punctuation ...

2-Em ( ) and
3-Em Dashes(--)
A 2-em dash is used to indicate missing letters within a word. In
fiction, the device of dropping letters to disguise names or to sanitize
vulgarities or profanities was once more commonly employed than
it is today.
'If j.E. who advertised in the --shire Herald of last Thursday, pos­
sesses the acquirements mentioned; and if she is in a position to give
satisfactory references as to character and competency; a situation can
be offered her where there is but one pupil, a little girl, under ten
years of age; and where the salary is thirty pounds per annum. j.E. is
requested to send references, name, and address, and all particulars
to the direction: "Mrs Fairfax, Thornfield, near Millcote, --shire." '
-CHARLOTTE BRONTE, jane Eyre
Matters were thus restored to a perfect calm, at which the serjeant,
tho' it may seem so contrary to the principles of his profession, testified
his approbation. 'Why now, that's friendly,' said he; 'D--n me, I
hate to see two people bear ill-will to one another, after they have
had a tussel. The only way when friends quarrel, is to see it out fairly
in a friendly manner, as a man may call it, either with fist, or sword,
or pistol, according as they like, and then let it be all over: for my own
part, d--n me if ever I love my friend better than when I am fighting
with him. To bear malice is more like a Frenchman than an Englishman.'
-HENRY FIELDING, Tom jones
Such uses now appear rather archaic. One does occasionally see
2-em dashes being used to tame certain words deemed unfit for
family newspapers, if the reporter feels obliged to include them in
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